How is this possible in Bach's Goldberg Variations?
While reading through Bach's Goldberg Variations, I noticed that at least the first few bars seem to be mathematically impossible.
How would one play the first few measures of the bass when there is a dotted half, half, and quarter note there? They appear as if they should be played one after the other but it doesn't work out mathematically.
(1)1 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
The dotted half, half, and quarter notes in the left hand are in three different voices. You can identify this for example by the opposite stem directions, as well as the placements in comparison with the right hand stave.
Labelling the voices 1,2,3 from top to bottom, this is what happens in the three voices in each measure:
quarter rest, quarter rest, quarter note;
quarter rest, half note;
dotted half note.
The first quarter rest is shared between voices 1 and 2.
Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2025 All Rights reserved.